Sometimes we miss when Jesus shows himself to us. Sometimes we choose to miss it. (“Oh, that was just a coincidence…”)

Sometimes we are called to be the face of Jesus to someone else.

Sometimes I wish I could get the brick-in-the-head that Paul got.

Sometimes we don’t get to choose which half of JN 20:29 we fall into.

Sometimes people attribute God when it is solely coincidence. Sometimes people see eveidence of God in a piece of toast. Sometimes people see evidence of God when their child is cured of cancer (while in the next bed a child dies of cancer).

God knows what would convince each and every one of us. He chooses whether to provide that evidence or not. It’s His choice.

Not as extensively as what happened to Saint Paul and Saint Thomas, no. But otherwise, yes. I found myself standing up and speaking, which was something I swore I would never do. And, no, no one ever came after me with actual whips and stones or threw me into a real jail. On the other hand, they quit doing that to people speaking out quite some time ago, so it was no real feat to avoid.

Life does take a change, but on the other hand, God uses what you have to bring. One suddenly doesn’t have talents never had before. For example, I could not sing before, after, or now. What is nice, is that when I must lead singing, the children and seniors don’t mind my voice at all. We’re singing! And that brings joy.

Not as extensively as what happened to Saint Paul and Saint Thomas, no. But otherwise, yes. I found myself standing up and speaking, which was something I swore I would never do. And, no, no one ever came after me with actual whips and stones or threw me into a real jail. On the other hand, they quit doing that to people speaking out quite some time ago, so it was no real feat to avoid.

So nothing remotely approching Paul’s experience. So why did you think I should endure it?

Why can’t God reveal Himself to me unequivocally, like he did for Paul and you?

As you repeatedly say, you don’t believe, so what good is supporting a view different than yours using a book you deny to begin with?

You and others continue to ignore the self evident existence of free will. You also ignore the fact that when a ruling entity, be it an individual or a group, FORCES you to obey against your will, that is the definition of tyranny. Which do you prefer, force or choice? I prefer choice…

When God revealed himself to Paul on the road to Damascus, was that forcing Paul to believe?

Why can’t God give that sort of incontrovertible proof to everyone?

No, Paul already believed. Jesus even identified himself ad the one Paul was persecuting. What he didn’t believe at the time was Jesus was the Messiah. Kind of hard to deny s voice from heaven. The other difference was that Jews had been walking by sight ( and many didn’t believe even after seeing) N.T. Christians are to walk by faith. Jesus reveals himself by his interaction with our lives.

No, Paul already believed. Jesus even identified himself ad the one Paul was persecuting. What he didn’t believe at the time was Jesus was the Messiah. Kind of hard to deny s voice from heaven. The other difference was that Jews had been walking by sight ( and many didn’t believe even after seeing) N.T. Christians are to walk by faith. Jesus reveals himself by his interaction with our lives.

Jesus revealed himself to Paul forcing Paul to accept him as son of God.

If God wants me to believe He would be able to do any number of things. He did it for Paul and innumerable other people. It’s like He doesn’t care.